Looking really honestly. The Suns biggest need is another star player. I am not sure we can count on CP3 to be a star player anymore. That leaves Book as a #1 player and Ayton as a #3 player. They need a third star who is better than Ayton. Could that be a player on the roster? I suppose, but I just don't see Mikal as a #2 player in a championship level three star situation. He is one of those highly valuable role players that is essential. If they really want to contend, they need a star level player. That will require rolling the dice on giving up a lot of future for a KD or taking a huge risk on a star that is injury prone like AD.
Call me crazy, but I think Ayton can be that #2 guy. If Markannan can suddenly get way better, so can he.
I would do it for kuminga
I agree. It’s someone who has the ability the get their own shot with regularity. We really have no player with on ball speed. Someone that when the offense breaks down - or finds themselves facing a defense they can’t solve (Dallas) - that can break down the defense no matter how it’s being played. If Ayton had handles or could consistently pin defenders and make clean catches in the post and draw contact he could be that like an old school inside-out alternative. But he does none of those things consistently. Book is the only one that comes close. And even he can be somewhat stymied if the defense concentrates on him and deploys a long superior athlete on him and he’s not hitting his midrange. And no one else on the team has consistent enough handles/speed/moves to break down a defense single-handedly. No one else is capable of playing hero ball but book (Paul could, to a degree, but depending on that seems done). Someone mentioned Malik monk. He’d be a great heater off the bench in that role.
I think markenaan has more skills. He came into the league being capable of shooting the three and putting the ball on the floor. It’s year five and Ayton really isn’t a threat to do either of those.
Yeah I would love to add Markkanen to this team but I wouldn't swap Ayton for him.
I think you’re confusing physical traits with skills. Physical traits you either have or not. Skills you develop. That’s not to say Ayton doesn’t possess skills, he does. His midrange jumper and hook are absolutely deadly. But he is reliant on people getting him the ball and effectively making himself available for those shots. He really can’t take anyone, even lumbering centers, off the dribble consistently. He still isn’t automatic sealing a defender and receiving a pass into the post (but as i said earlier he improved both those traits). And his three ball really isn’t a weapon any defender needs worry about.
I think that’s either ridiculous amounts of offseason practice or he’s being deployed differently in the offense to better suit his skills. I’m leaning the latter.
Agreed. Markennan would probably be close to a perfect pf alongside Ayton.
No doubt Ayton has talent in spades. Greek freak level? No. But he could easily be the equivalent of a baby embiid if he developed his skills. He won’t be as massive as embiid, but I think he’s be more explosive. Ooooohhh what he could be.
Thing is that he has these skills. But the ball does not flow to him. Embiid is the #1 option the Phillies offense. Ayton is not even in the top three of the Suns offense. Ayton does not demand the ball, the coach does not game plan it, and other player are launching threes with Ayton clearly ready to operate inside. IfAyton is even going to be a 2or 3 option, a whole lot is going to have to change- but it's not his skills.
